U.S. Under-17 MNT Split Pair of Decisions with Guatemala in Guatemala City

NewsAug 16, 2008

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala (Aug. 7, 2008) -- The U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team split a pair of decisions in two international friendlies against CONCACAF rival Guatemala during a recent tour of Central America.

The U.S. took a first half lead when Soony Saad scored the first goal of the game in the 33rd minute. Midfielder Carlos Martinez played a ball over the top for Saad, who ran onto the ball and beat Guatemalan goalkeeper Edy Garcia by putting the ball into the side netting.

Ten minutes into the second half, however, a penalty kick conversion by Henry Lopez leveled the score. In the 66th minute, Kendal Herrate gave Guatemala a lead they would never relinquish, hitting home a shot from close range to beat American netminder Earl Edwards.

Two days later, Jack McInerney scored the lone goal of the game just two minutes after halftime to give the U.S. a 1-0 victory over the hosts. The U.S. held onto the lead with tenacity, despite going down a man in the 65th minute when Julio Arjona was ejected. Samir Badr made three saves in the shutout win.